Georgia cornerback A.J. Harris has transferred to Penn State, On3 reported Thursday morning. Harris joins the Nittany Lions with three years of eligibility remaining and marks the fifth transfer portal acquisition for Penn State since the conclusion of the season.
While at Georgia, Harris appeared in seven games while making eight total tackles (three solo) over the course of his first and only season with the Bulldogs. The former five-star prospect was rated the No. 27 recruit in the 2023 class and the No. 2 cornerback in the cycle according to the 247 Network. The network’s composite rankings, which take into account other recruiting services, rated Harris slightly lower, but still among the best prospects int he nation.
Harris, an Alabama native, hits the scales at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds and was generally recruited by southern schools, including Clemson and Florida.
Coming to Penn State, Harris will have the ability to make an immediate impact on Penn State’s coverage units following the departure of longtime corners Kalen King and Johnny Dixon. King recently announced his intentions to enter the NFL Draft, and while Dixon has not publicly announced his intentions, he did not travel with Penn State to the Peach Bowl and is slated to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, which is an unofficial evaluation period prior to the NFL Draft.
In the absence of King and Dixon in the Peach Bowl, Penn State relied on youth in coverage with Cam Miller and Zion Tracy taking the bulk of snaps at corner against a talented Ole Miss offense. For a handful of reasons, Penn State struggled to slow the Rebels’ passing attack in that game, giving up 379 yards through the air.
Harris will join wide receiver Julian Fleming, kicker Chase Meyer, offensive tackle Nolan Rucci and edge rusher Jordan Mayer as portal pickups for James Franklin and his program so far this offseason.
